Women's Institute

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1943, Page 5

Women's Institute

Eltham: Gift parcels given to men before they left for service totalled 49, reported the secretary, Mrs. J. Ramsay, at the annual meeting, and in addition £9 was given to the unaddressed parcels fund. The meeting was presided over by the president of the North Taranaki district federation, Mrs. Adnams. Members took an active part in patriotic affairs, it was reported, and were engaged in Red Cross and W.W.S.A. work. Reference was made to the work of Mrs. Foord in connection with the W.W.S.A. and the institute. The gardening circle held two flower songs, the entries being a record. Mrs. Willcox was mentioned for her work in this direction. The next-of-kin committee had entertained wives and mothers of men overseas at social' afternoons, the attendance being good. Support was given these events by the Mangatoki and Rawhitiroa institutes. Membership stood at 104. Mrs. T. Fountaine presented the balance-sheet, which showed that the finances of the institute were satisfactory. The next-of-kin report was given by Mrs. Manley, in the absence of Mrs. Darling, and the garden circle report and financial statement by Mrs. Willcox. Mrs. Hillmer presented shoulder sprays to Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Rankin and the secretary and treasurer. Officers elected were: President, Mrs. J. A. Rankin; vice-presi-dents, Mrs. C. A. Wilkinson and Mrs. M. Hillmer; secretary, Mrs. J. Ramsay; asssitant secretary and hostess convener, Mrs. H. Roberts; treasurer, Mrs. T. Fountaine; committee, Mesdames W. Clement, S. Dyason, F. Morris, Macdonald, B. Pepperell, J. Phillips, S. Reeves, W. R. Stanners, W. Thornhill, A. Wolfe, and R. Willcox; Press correspondent, Mrs. W. R. Stanners. All members of the previous years' next-of-kin committee were unanimously elected. Mrs. E. S. Harkness, who is shortly leaving the district, was farewelled. An offer was made by Mr. and Mrs. Moyes to give prizes _pnd points prizes to encourage novices to exhibit in different classes in the spring flower show. A suggestion by Mrs. Moyes that members exhibit one bloom each monthly meeting day, and that a points prize be awarded for the most points gained throughout the year, was adopted. Ngaere: A report on patriotic work, presented by Mrs. Bonner at the annual meeting, showed that 159 garments were knitted and 114 unaddressed parcels given and packed. Other activities included talks on first aid and canteen work. Mrs. Lithgow presided, and Mrs. Burgess, a voluntary organiser of institutes, took the chair for the election of officers, which resulted: President, Mrs. Lithgow; vice-presidents, Mesdames Watkins and Bonner; secretary, Mrs. W. Arthur; treasurer, Mrs. Pope; Press correspondent, Mrs. Rowe; committee, Mesdames J. Arthur, Tecofsky, Kofoed and Miss Schumapher. Mrs. Burgess gave a talk on institute work, which was followed by a demonstration on wool-spinning. School children were present for the demonstration, for which Mrs. Fergusson gave the use of her machine. A competition for a pillow case made from a flour bag resulted: Mrs. Tecofsky 1, Mrs. J. Arthur 2, Mrs. Lithgow 3; points prizes awarded were, Mrs. Tecofsky 1, Mrs. Pope 2, Miss Seed consolation. A saies table controlled by Mrs. Watkins did good business. Hostesses were Mesdames Tecofsky and Rowe. Mangatoki: Mrs. J. Lambie presided at the Mapch meeting when there was a good attendance. LetterS of thanks were received from personnel in the armed forces who had received institute parcels. The Eltham comforts committee wrote thanking the institute for a donation of £11 towards its funds. The nomination of Mrs. Morgan was forwarded to the North Taranaki federation executive. Members voted in favbur of the remit to hold. the Dominion conference this year. The annual garden party realised about £10. Thanks were extended to Mrs. Morgan for the use of her grounds and to donors of trophies. Thanks were expressed to Mrs. E. Marx and the school children for their work . in connection with the l competitions. A gardening circle report was given by Mrs. J. H. Anderson. n Mrs. L. Terry,,.advised members that wool had come to -hand from the patriotic committee and would be distributed. A competition for a hand-pamted tray was won by Mrs. C. A. Pease. The stockings competition was won by Mrs. Lyndon, Lowgarth. Competition winners were: Posy, Mrs. Anderson 1 and 2, Mrs. Morgan 3; bloom, Mrs. C. W. Carlson 1, Mrs. J. H. Anderson 2, Mrs. B. Leslie 3. Hostesses were Mesdames E. Hayter, H. Linn and C. Davies. Te Ro ti: The annual meeting was presided over by the president of the South Taranaki Federation, Mrs. Tidswell. A comprehensive report of the many activities and work of the year was read by Mrs. Fowler. The treasurer. Mrs. Grierson, also made a report. Shoulder sprays were presented to Mesdames Tidswell, Bloor, Fowler and Grierson. Mesdames Bloor, Fowler and Grierson also received gifts presented on behalf of members by Mrs. McAsey. Officers elected were: President, Mrs. Metcalf; vice-presidents, Mrs. McAsey and Miss Morrison; secretary, Mrs. E. Sharp; assistant secretary, Mrs. Fowler; committee, Mesdames Kelly, Dravitzki, McKay, Grierson and Miss Feron. Points prizes given by Mesdames Henry and Bloor were won by Mrs. McAsey and Mrs. Fowler. Monthly competitions resulted: Bloom, Mrs. McAsey 1, Mrs. Morrison and Miss Morrison equal 2, Mrs. E. Sharp 3; home-made soap, Mrs. John Kelly 1, Mrs. E. Sharp 2, Mrs. Fowler 3. Marangai: Mrs. Bramwell presided at the annual meeting in the Welbourne hall. A visitor was Mrs. W. J. Smith, Inglewood. Main work for the year was the sending of parcels to servicemen overseas, it was stated. In addition, 106 knitted articles were handed into the patriotic board. The points prize award was: Mrs. Parker 1, Mrs. Page 2. A cake was given for competition by Mrs. Aubrey. Hostesses were Mesdames P. and W. Dickson and Doherty.